Daily editionThursday, October 29th, 2026
Good morning, Sumter.
The 5AM Sumter Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 29th of October.
Community
Talmadge Tobias, an open-heart surgery survivor and ReMax Summit broker manager, will chair the Sumter Clarendon Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Memorial Stadium to raise funds and expand CPR training; organizers expect about 1,000 participants and are asking employers to recruit teams + support CPR education.
The Sumter ItemRead more
GraceFest2026 will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Cathedral Ministries, 60 Oswego Hwy., with free food from local food trucks, carnival games, an indoor movie, and prizes; the event is free and open to the public + call 803-773-6497 ext.
1 for information.
The Sumter ItemRead more
J. O'Gradys received a flag certificate from the Home Chapter Flag Committee Wednesday, Oct. 28 for flying the U.S. flag correctly in front of the restaurant, and owners Drew and Scott Estep accepted the recognition.
The Sumter ItemRead more
Finance
More Sumter families are turning to trusts now to avoid probate, protect inheritances from creditors or divorce, and guide distributions to children and grandchildren (revocable and irrevocable trusts serve different goals).
The Sumter ItemRead more
Health
South Carolina will prohibit using SNAP benefits to buy candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages starting Nov. 1 under the two-year Healthy Food SC project to encourage healthier purchases.
Diet and zero-sugar soft drinks remain eligible, and all SNAP-approved retailers must follow the new rules.
WACHRead more
Sports
Jeff Jones will take over as Wilson Hall's baseball coach, continuing a family legacy after Tommy Jones led the Barons to five state titles; the hire was announced Oct. 28.
The Sumter ItemRead more